Thursday, February 7, 2013

Imagery Cues

 Sometimes we have to paint a picture for our clients to fully understand the Method.  An image is powerful and playful.  It makes the exercise come to life and demands a higher quality of precision.  Use these cues once your client has become more autonomous in their practice.  This will improve your class flow as well as promote creative minds in your students. 





  • Tall Spine/Flat Back:
    • Fit yourself into a toaster slot
    • Lengthen like a skinny pencil/banana
    • Sandwich yourself in between two sheets of glass
    • Fit yourself in a plaster cast
    • Wear a corset...lace your corset together
  • Pulling Straps/Extension/Long Stretch
    • Feel like a torpedo shooting through the water
    • Glide on the surfboard through the water
    • Feel like an archer's bow...rise up
    • Visualize a fountain of water starting at the sternum and shooting up the crown of the head
  • Side Bending/Mermaid
    • Paint a rainbow/arc with your bar/head
    • Trace a large barrel
    • Move like windshield wipers
  • Rolling
    • Rock like a wheel
    • Feel like someone is punching you in the gut
    • Massage the spine into the mat
  • Standing Roll Down
    • Try not to impale yourself on the picket fence/post
    • Peel off like wallpaper/tape
    • Pull yourself up by a golden cord through the crown of the head
  • C-curve/Spine Stretch Forward:
    • Round over the hot beach ball
    • Roll out the dough in the middle of your spine
    • Feel like someone is hugging you from behind
  • Articulation/Roll Up/Bridge:
    • Move like a strand of pearls/bike chain 
    • Place each bone of the mat like railroad tracks
    • Melt like warm chocolate into the mat


Friday, January 25, 2013

Health Advice: How to Cook for Kids

Q:  I have kids at home and some days it can be a challenge to cook healthy and please everyone.  They range in age from 8 years old to teenagers.  One is even a vegetarian.  Please send some helpful tips for dinner that can bring my life some sanity after a busy workday.

A:  You are not alone!  Cooking for a family can be simple and a challenge all at the same time.  Especially when it comes to food allergies or different nutrition needs.  The key is all in the planning.  Know what you need to shop for, what meal is set for eat day and make sure to do some prep beforehand so the week goes smoothly.

The best thing you can do is involve your kids in helping with meal prep.  Let them pick recipes out of the cookbook.  They can learn to cut up or mix ingredients together.  If you prep a dish they can toss it into the oven when they get home from school so its ready once you are home.  Once kids take part in making the meal they will enjoy eating it more too.  This teaches great life skills for once they go off to college or live on their own in the future.

Meal Ideas-

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

A Day in the Life of a Pilates Instructor

Some may wonder what a typical day is for an instructor.  We sometimes harp on you about when to eat and sleep and workout.  We try to be good role models, but face it, sometimes the hours are demanding and life can't be perfect.  Here is a glimpse into a typical day in the life of being a full time Pilates instructor:

9am Wake up, make a protein shake (drink a small amount of it)

9:20am Pilates Mat session 

10am Cardio.  Run outside or on elliptical depending on weather

10:45am Drink rest of protein shake and shower

12:00pm Snack on trail mix or an apple.  Pack up bags and head to work

1pm Meetings @ work and email/phone call time

3pm Early dinner/late lunch time.  Usually a salad or veggies and a protein.  

4pm Teach clients and consult about goals.  Pray people come on time, aren't sick, and are ready to focus on their workouts.

6pm Snack in between clients on more trail mix

9pm Done w/clients :)

9:35pm Home and snack time of a PBJ, soup, or quesadilla

10:30pm Computer time to read online articles, watch tv or relax

11:50pm Sleep!